Jail for driver who rammed garda patrol

BANNED: Man (29) high on cocaine

A DRIVER who rammed a patrol car was three times over the drink driving limit and was high on a cocktail of cocaine and tablets, a court heard.

DARREN Smithers (29) lost control and crashed into an ESB pole, but drove off at speed when he saw gardai.

He then stopped, reversed and rammed the patrol car.

Madness

The defendant was banned from driving at the time.

Judge David McHugh described Smithers's driving escapades as 'madness' and sentenced him to six months in prison, banned him for 15 years and fined him €1,300.

The defendant, of Casement Drive in Finglas, admitted before Blanchardstown District Court to two counts of dangerous driving as well as charges of criminal damage, driving without insurance or a driving licence, and drunken driving.

The incident took place at Ratoath Avenue in Finglas on June 2 last year.

Garda Sergeant Maria Callaghan said gardai were on mobile patrol on Ratoath Road when they saw a green Nissan Micra driving at high speed.

Smithers crashed the car into an ESB pole, but took off when he saw the garda car.

He drove over a green area and completed a number of handbrake turns, then drove on the wrong side of the road along Ratoath Avenue.